YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE Arts Culture Clubs Sports Interviews Lifestyle Dining Nightlife TECHNOLOGY - ENTERTAINMENT - DINING www.bahrainthismonth.com Digital Edition Since 1997 MOTORING PEOPLE DINING WTM Mariam Alammadi tells us about how Afkarech has impacted society Artist, Narmeen Albaker, tells us about her recent exhibit Beauty Essentials Exciting Eid Fashion! The Rotary Club of Salmaniya’s incoming President and current Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, Faisal Juma, tells us about the club’s plans Danny Sokov tells us about the short film Dajjal We get to know the young astronomy enthusiast, Adam Ali Abdulhadi Here’s where you can dine this Eid Dick Potter test drives the Ferrari Roma May 2021 | Vol. 25 | Issue 5 | BD2 / SR20 EID SPECIAL
May 2021 3 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Iftar at La Plage, The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain celebrated the spirit of Ramadan in spectacular fashion with an iftar at La Plage. The event was attended by members of the media and invited guests. The event featured a lavish spread, including a variety of Ramadan favourites, expertly put together by the luxury hotel’s culinary team.
4 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander The #ArtforAutism Art Exhibition In observance of World Autism Awareness month, the Rotaract Bahrain continue their support for the cause and organised a charitable art exhibition. #ArtforAutism - an art exhibit combining works of established and upcoming artists in Bahrain was held at The Lagoon, Amwaj. All the proceeds collected from the exhibit will be donated to organise art classes for students with autism.
www.bahrainthismonth.com May 2021 5 19 26 30 44 53 10 21 We discover the epitome of Japanese fine dining in Bahrain at Maki. The best of dining options this month, including some excellent options to celebrate Eid. Motoring Bites The Perfect GT Sports Car? Dick Potter takes the Ferrari Roma for a spin! Joyful Festivities Planning on enjoying the festivities with your family this year can be challenging. We put together some suggestions that we’re sure will make this Eid one to remember (despite the challenges). Sabine Schmitz. 1969-2021. Dick Potter remembers the phenomenal motor racing driver, Sabine Schmitz. Ready for the Big Screen! Farah Baig has a chat with Danny Sokov, the filmmaker behind the short film Dajjal which was filmed in Bahrain. E-Waste – How we consume and manage it. Business expert, Pria Masson Tanwar, talks about how to deal with old laptops and other e-waste in a responsible way. Business Bites Offering A Helping Hand Kristian Harrison spoke to the Rotary Club of Salamaniya’s incoming President and current Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, Faisal Juma, about the club’s plans once he assumes the hotseat in July. Bahrain’s Boy Genius! We meet with the spectacularly intelligent, young astronomy enthusiast, Adam Ali Abdulhadi, who recently captured the hearts of citizens across Bahrain MAY 30 28 26 27 32 10 19 21 12 14 16 DINING INTERVIEWS COMMERCE MOTORING FEATURE ISSUE 285 CONTENTS www.bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth bhthismonth CONTENTS WOMAN THIS MONTH Ouiam explains how we can deal with kids using unacceptable words. Julia Knight tells us about the importance of wellbeing in the field of education. Skincare that will have you glowing! The latest of perfumes and makeup products. We have an insightful chat with the founder of Afkarech, Mariam Alammadi, about the group and its tireless work to make a positive impact on the community. Guest artist at Bahrain’s recent Love & Inspire Art Exhibition, Narmeen Albaker, tells us about the inspiration behind her art and her experience painting with her daughter. Exquisitely elegant fashion choices to celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid. A delicious recipe for mushroom soup. 44 50 42 54 51 53 46 56 FASHION Parenting Education Interview Beauty Lifestyle 42
May 2021 7 May 2021 Bahrain This Month George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman COVER Cover Picture: Eid Al-Fitr www.bahrainthismonth.com Scan this QR Code to subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine. Printing Press Union Press, Bahrain Published monthly by RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: [email protected] www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2020 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission. • Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month. Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24 Gulf and international subscriptions available on request. THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Editor Farah Baig Contributors Behnaz Sanjana, Kristian Harrison, Dick Potter, Pria Masson Tanwar, Ouiam Charkani El Hassani, Bill Grieve Editorial Consultant Ahdeya Ahmed Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Art Director Hatem Monem Webmaster Nishad Eapen CRM & Database Coordinator Muna Yousef Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Corporate Affairs Director Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) Media Sales Anuradha Manhas [email protected] DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Digital Marketing & Social Media Executive Farah Baig Welcome to the May edition. While things have been picking up around the island, unfortunately, so have the number of active cases! That being said, there is some hope in the fact that over half a million citizens have been fully inoculated since the start of the vaccination drive. Does this mean there’s an end in sight to our plight in Bahrain? That being said, we’ve had a lovely Ramadan dining at some of the Kingdom’s top hospitality properties, with all safety measures in place, of course! And looking forward, we have some exciting dining options for you and your loved ones this Eid; granted that you will have to keep the new measures in mind. We also had a spectacular dining experience at the innovative fusion Japanese restaurant, Maki. There are plenty of good reasons why it’s one of our favourite dining venues on the island. In our interview section this month, we had a chat with our own prolific filmmaker extraordinaire, Danny Sokov, who recently finished filming a short film, Dajjal, in the Kingdom. In addition, we caught up with the little genius, Adam Ali Abdulhadi, a young astronomy enthusiast who will be filming an informative series with Bahrain’s National Space Science Agency. We also spoke to Faisal Juma, the Rotary Club of Bahrain’s incoming President and current Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, about the club’s upcoming virtual events and community projects. In our Motoring section, Dick Potter, had an exhilarating test drive with Ferrari and also paid tribute to the motoring legend, Sabine Schmitz. We also had Pria Masson Tanwar give us some guidance on what we could do with our e-waste. In Woman This Month, our editorial team explored some vibrant fashion for Eid. We also had the pleasure of speaking to the founder of Afkarech, Mariam Alammadi, who gave us some insight on how this group of highly-driven women have impacted society. In addition, we spoke to the artist Narmeen Albaker, about her collaborative art with her daughter at the recent Love and Inspire exhibition. We also bring you the best of beauty essentials, skincare and more! Despite the challenges that the current pandemic has presented the Kingdom with, our beautiful island continues to be as charming and eventful as ever. That being said, remember that Bahrain This Month will always be “Your Guide to a Great Way of Life”.
8 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Rapid Fire Video Shoot with the Lulu Group International Director For our exciting three-minute RAPID FIRE interview with Lulu Group International Director, Mr. Juzer Rupawala, our team led by our Publisher, Mr. George F. Middleton visited the Lulu Hypermarket head office in Bahrain. Here’s a brief look behind the scenes. Capital Governorate Ramadan Initiative in Cooperation with NGOs and Charities Under the Patronage of HE Sheikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Governor of Capital Governorate, the Capital Governorate continued to distribute food boxes and iftar meals to the needy in cooperation with NGOs and charity societies.
May 2021 9 www.bahrainthismonth.com Abdullateef Khalid AlAujan & Sons Group Staff Party In light of Covid 19 restrictions, Abdullateef Khalid AlAujan & Sons Group held a small staff party for one of its divisions at Al Dar Islands. Scan for the show reel video [email protected] Mob.: +973 39 677 851 | +973 17 813 777 | +973 17 813 Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 www.sosmarketing.co Digital Strategy l Content Marketing l Social Ads l Google Ads l Analytics l Consultancy Our scope of services include photography as well as Digital film production and editing. FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES From event coverage to innovative promotional social media clips; from creative short films to documentaries and even music videos, we can help proliferate your brand, product or service in print, online,broadcast or digital
10 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com Ready for the Big Screen! Farah Baig has a chat with Danny Sokov, the filmmaker behind the short film Dajjal which was filmed in Bahrain. The Kingdom of Bahrain has long been home to a myriad of creatives, each a master of their own craft - be it literature, art, music or filmmaking. However, we believe it takes a stroke of genius and an even more generous helping of creativity to etch a name out for yourself in the film industry. We had a sit down with the prolific filmmaker Danny Sokov, who not only wrote the script for the recentlycompleted shortfilm Dajjal, but acted in and directed it too. You’ve been a filmmaker for 10 years now. Could you tell us a little bit about what attracted you to the film industry? My love for all things film stretches way back to when we first moved to Bahrain in the early 90s. I tend to say that TV was basically my third parent. I learned English thanks to Disney movies, Cartoon Network and MTV. I studied at the British School, during which time a lot of my expat friends from the UK introduced me to shows like Blackadder, Monty Python, The Young Ones, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, the early Graham Linehan works – all of which still highly influence my writing and humour. The first film that really ignited my desire to be a filmmaker was Terry Gilliam’s The Fisher King. I’ve watched it at least 20 times and even wrote essays about it during my university courses. That’s quite interesting. What led you to take up a role in the industry? For a long time I wanted to act, but I had a very trusted mentor advise me to learn what happens behind the camera first. Once I had a taste of film editing, there was really no going back. I first started with editing together these little music videos, where I’d cut scenes out of different films and structure them over a song, making the images convey the lyrics. Then I started doing that with footage I’d capture myself, and it all grew from there. Even now, though I can handle any role in filmmaking, I consider myself an editor above all, and a screenwriter second. Those were the two areas in which I specialised in university. Tell us more about your experience in university. I did Film Studies at the university of Kent in Canterbury, under the tutelage of some incredible filmmakers and mentors. My second year was especially formative thanks to my practical Documentary course under New York avant-garde director Margaret Salmon, as well as my Screenwriting course under BAFTAnominated director Clio Barnard. She also gave me my first on-set experience during the production of her second BAFTA nominated film, The Selfish Giant. What’s your experience in Bahrain’s media been like so far? After a five-year stint in London, I came back to Bahrain in 2017 and, in a way, had to start all over again; so, I rebranded and went into corporate and advertising. Adverts, promos, event coverage, documentaries… – I’ve handled a whole variety of projects for clients in a range of sectors. There was a great niche here for what I could offer. I also took up teaching and ran several filmmaking workshops in collaboration with ProSky. interview
May 2021 11 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview Aside from that experience, I was hired by Bahrain’s Sharaka Bloc to run their media during the 2018 Chamber of Commerce and Industry elections for the Board of Directors. The campaign was very successful and led to Ahmed Saloom coming back and hiring me for his Parliament run, which he also won by a landslide. Earlier this year, I did the advert for His Majesty’s Endurance Race which aired on Bahrain TV all throughout the event. Now, what’s the story behind Dajjal? How did you get involved? The pandemic has been difficult for me, professionally, however I came across an ad that announced the French Embassy and Alliance Francaise were organising a screenwriting workshop, the winner of which would get their film made by Blu Steel films. I couldn’t miss the opportunity. After close to a decade of purely commission-based work, I felt it was the right time to attempt something entirely my own, creatively. I’d had the idea for this film for over seven years. It went through many detail changes, but the core concept always remained, and was one I’ve always come back to. It started as an idea for a feature film, but when I was made aware of this screenwriting workshop, I told myself that it was “now or never”. It’s quite exciting that Dajjal has been filmed in Bahrain. Could you tell us more about the shortfilm? The story is my personal take on the idea of “be careful what you wish for”. The film runs for 11m30 and follows a young Arabic boy, Isa, who is so burdened by his everyday family life that he inadvertently summons a Djinn, and subsequently lives out the consequences of his wishes. It’s the first work of fiction that I’ve directed, as well as was my first time in charge of an entire production team. Everyone was spectacular in their roles, everything ran absolutely smoothly. The film was officially screened in April to invited guests and friends and family of the cast and crew. We intend to submit the film to a number of renowned international film festivals. Tell us about the cast and crew. The lead role of Isa was played by Majd Al Aradi, a great young talent. He’s a theatre kid and this was his first film role. In my mind, he encapsulated the character perfectly, just as I envisioned him. Seasoned Bahraini actress Lamia Al Shuwaikh played the mother, Mariam, and really brought the perfect range of emotions to the different realities we created in the story. And of course we had Bahraini screen legend Qahtan Al Qahtani playing the father, Yousif. It was a huge privilege to have him be a part of the production. He’s rightfully deserving of his reputation. Some of his scenes were done in one take. His presence, his professionalism, his humour and his humility really shone through during the whole process. Behind the scenes, the team assembled was also incredible - Ali “Fingerz” Esbai doesn’t switch off for a single second until the shoot is done, DOP Hussain Al Khunaizi was nothing short of a beast and Mohamed Fakhro from Blu Steel films, who served as producer, was there every hour of every day ensuring that everything ran as smooth as possible. And of course, a huge thank you goes out to Marianne and Emmanuel Mayer, the organisers of the initial screenwriting competition, without whose input none of this would’ve even been possible in the first place. And finally, you make an appearance in Dajjal too. How did that happen? A last minute decision led to myself taking on the role of the Djinn. I have an acting background but didn’t plan on acting in the film at all, especially since I don’t speak fluent Arabic. However, this decision led to many fun, creative changes in the script.
12 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview The Rotary Club of Salmaniya has a long history of fundraising and organising community projects in the Kingdom. Inaugurated on April 15, 1971, the first meeting was held on April 28 of that year at the Delmon Hotel with 30 charter members, nine of whom were the Board of Directors led by the first President, HH Shaikh Isa Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. On June 9, 1971, the formal admission was received from Rotary International and this is considered as the founding date of the Salmaniya branch. The presentation of the Club’s Charter took place on December 16, 1971 – Bahrain’s first National Day following independence from Britain. As such, the organisation is proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and Faisal is busy organising a slate of fundraising events, with proceeds to go towards important community projects. The club currently has 60 members, ten of which are women and also inducted two new members this year. “Our most famous and biggest annual event is the Raft Race which is organised at Al Bander. However, this year it had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I therefore had an idea to do a virtual weightlifting event with F45 Bahrain at the Kick-Off Academy in Saar, but the proposal was rejected for the time being by the Ministry of Health. “Ultimately, I came up with an alternative (to the alternative!) which is four virtual events, where our sponsors can showcase their company names and logos.” The first of these is a Sponsor’s Appreciation Day, planned for the last week of June, where a presentation will be delivered thanking sponsors for their support and a discussion of the Club’s upcoming charitable projects. This will be followed by a Rotary Awareness Day, pencilled in for August, which will be a way to introduce members of the public to the Rotary Club and encourage them to join. In November, a ‘Bahrain’s Got Talent’ night will be staged, which will be open to Bahraini nationals or Bahrain-based talent of all ages and feature a wide array of artists, bands and more. Finally, there will be a Quiz Night to be held in December. Faisal is also hoping to reapply for the F45 Playoffs later in the year when the Covid-19 situation is hopefully clearer. “At all of these events, our sponsors can showcase their company names and logos, and we will also offer them social media coverage such as posts on Facebook and Instagram,” Faisal explained. Ultimately, the funds raised at these events will go towards the community projects run by the Rotary Club of Salmaniya. This includes the Greenhouse Project, where seeds are planted by children from the Autistic and Down Syndrome Societies, whom are then brought back later in the year for them to harvest the crops that they’ve grown. Furthermore, there is the Dream House Project, where the club chooses a couple of houses per year to renovate. Faisal explained: “There are a number of unfortunate people in Bahrain who live in poorly-maintained houses as they cannot afford repairs, so after we check the title deeds for ownership, we completely change the houses, redecorate rooms and improve the quality of the building. “I also aim to run a couple of training and vocational programmes for those who have struggled to find employment during the pandemic, helping them to find jobs and revamp their CVs.” The Rotary Club of Salmaniya’s weekly meetings are held every Wednesday for luncheons; doors open at 12.45pm and the meeting starts at 1.15pm sharp, ending at 2.15pm. Regular meeting details are updated every two weeks in advance and the venue is available on the website: www.rcsalmaniya.org, email: info@ rcsalmaniya.org. You can also follow them on their official Instagram account @rotarysalmaniya or on Facebook and Twitter using the handle @rotaryofsulmaniya. The Kingdom of Bahrain has always been renowned for its charitable societies and endeavours. Kristian Harrison spoke to the Rotary Club of Salmaniya’s incoming President and current Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, Faisal Juma, about the club’s plans once he assumes the hotseat in July. OFFERING A HELPING HAND
May 2021 13 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Curtain Raiser for India@75 Celebrations The Indian Embassy held a curtain raiser event at their premises in Seef District, to mark the start of the India@75 celebrations, which will mark 75 years of India’s independence.
14 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com Eid feature Joyful Festivities... the safe way We put together some suggestions that we’re sure will make this Eid Al Fitr one to remember, while keeping you and your family safe! Celebrating Eid this year is sure to be a challenge. While we will have a nice long weekend to enjoy with family and friends, it’s important to be responsible. We put together a few suggestions for our readers so you can avoid the possible rush and stay safe. Remember, it’s important not to gather in large groups for the safety of those more vulnerable to the virus- especially the elderly! VISIT THE ROYAL CAMEL FARM This sprawling farm is home to hundreds of gentle camels and lets you stay socially-distanced while having a good time! Located on Janabiya Highway, this camel farm lets you observe the attitude, sounds and stature of these gentle creatures (as long as you are not too close for their comfort!). If you’re lucky, you can ask one of the attendants to help you feed them too. The farm is open every day from 8am-5pm, and entry is free. Parking and washroom facilities are available on-site. ENJOY AN EID COOK-OFF WITH YOUR FAMILY Why not change things up on one day of Eid this year? If you plan on staying in, you could have a cook off with your family! Have each person (including the little ones) cook one dish, it could be an appetisers, main course, dessert or even a refreshing beverage. You could end up with a feast! If things don’t work out, there’s always our dining listings to help out. Just remember to keep the new restrictions in mind.
May 2021 15 www.bahrainthismonth.com Eid feature ENJOY A BIT OF HISTORY AT QALAT AL BAHRAIN Also known as the Bahrain Fort, located not far from Seef Mall, this UNESCO World Heritage site provides you with the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Kingdom’s past. If you visit by night, you’ll have a collection of muse-worthy pictures. The ancient archways lit up by spot lights give a surreal vibe to the location. The monument is open from 8am-8pm. There are a lot of open spaces, so you won’t have to worry about getting too close to anyone else! We personally enjoy the contrast between the historical site and the modern skyline from certain vantage points. MARVEL AT THE AL FATEH GRAND MOSQUE Eid is the perfect time to marvel at a stunning structure which is reflective of the faith. One of the largest mosques in the world, this sprawling structure can welcome 7,000 people at a time. It’s usually open to visitors from 9am-4pm all week except on Fridays. However, with current restrictions in place, it is currently closed for tours, according to the official website, but you can enjoy a virtual in a variety of languages when visiting www.alfatehbh.net. Marvel at the fine Italian marble, Austrian glass and Indian teakwood, and study the play of light and shadow as the sun’s rays enter in from the Arabesque windowpanes – all from the safety of your home. PLAN A SOCIALLY-DISTANCED MOVIE NIGHT The need of the hour is social-distancing, so if you do wish to meet friends and family, you could perhaps plan a wonderful movie night in the safety of your home. Remember to be responsible – stay socially distanced, wear mask, sanitise regularly and don’t host a large group of people! If you are handing out snacks, it would be ideal to provide each guest with their own pack of snacks rather than sharing bowls, packs of chips and more. You can check out our film reviews for suggestions! ENJOY THE LATEST OFFERINGS FROM NESPRESSO! Nespresso has introduced its first seasonal coffee from Nicaragua featuring a fermentation technique, ‘Master Origin Nicaragua La Cumplida Refinada’, as part of the legendary Master Origins range. The delightfully flavourful coffee is available at Nespresso’s boutique at City Centre Bahrain. In addition, if you can visit the boutique before Ramadan ends, you can make the most of their exciting offers which includes exciting freebies! You can get a free box of Nespresso’s flavourful orange biscuits if you purchase ten sleeves, a free cup on the purchase of twenty sleeves or a free mini Nespresso machine when you purchase 40 sleeves. They would make the perfect gift this Eid!
BAHRAIN’S BOY GENIUS! We meet with the spectacularly intelligent, young astronomy enthusiast, Adam Ali Abdulhadi, who recently captured the hearts of citizens across Bahrain. At just five-years-old, Adam Ali Abdulhadi has captured the hearts of many citizens across the Kingdom of Bahrain. With his deep knowledge of the universe, the young boy creates a lasting impression that leaves adults and children alike in awe. Adam is full of facts and figures when it comes to the universe and tells every avid listener about blackholes, stars, exoplanets and more. “Adam’s fascination with the universe started a year ago; he would repeatedly draw the Solar System and explain the colours and sizes of the planets,” explains his mother, Reem Hasan Ahmed. When he was just two-years-old, Adam showed an interest in planes. “I used to take him near the airport to watch planes take off and, in a way, it all might have started with his obsession with fans when he was a baby,” she says. In fact, HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, recently met with young Adam to discuss his dreams and ambitions. “Adam’s meeting with HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad was inspiring. HH showed great support to Adam and encouraged him to continue learning. The atmosphere was very friendly and Adam felt very comfortable to ask questions and discuss the Universe,” she says. With an ever-growing knowledge of all things astronomy, Adam now has an exciting upcoming project through which he will be filming a special program to explain some space topics to students. “The series of workshops will be arranged by the Ministry of Education’s Talented Students Centre and Bahrain’s National Space Science Agency (NSSA) for talented primary school students,” she says. interview 16 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com His most significant collaboration, to date, is with the Bahrain Youth Astronomical Group and Bahrain Researchers for the Young Astronomer Competition, which was conducted on social media throughout Ramadan. “During the competition, Adam presented 30 different series during the whole month talking about different topics on each day which would be followed by a trivia question and a winner would be picked on each day,” she explains. Adam’s popularity grew as he was featured in local newspapers and his following grew on his informative Instagram account which was initially a private account for friends and family. “Adam is keen on learning as much as he can about space which he considers to be among the most important branches of Science these days,” she says. Adam’s short-terms plans include visiting the Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashed Space Agency in the UAE and coming up with a series of workshops for schools. “I think it is important to connect with a young audience and what better way to do it than through schools? I also hope Adam can eventually do some outdoor stargazing, storytelling and arts and crafts activities as the situation improves,” she says. Adam has also shown an affinity for Geography and can identify 130 flags aside from locating the countries on the map, with ease! “In the long run… well, it is hard to say at this point; Adam’s interests might change, but I am here to support him either way. If it is to be space science and becoming an astronaut, so shall it be. I just hope we will be able to foster the love for learning he has,” she concluded.
May 2021 17 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Capital Governorate Ramadan Charity Campaign The Capital Governorate launched its annual Ramadan campaign under the patronage of HE Sheikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, the Governor of the Capital Governorate. The campaign aims to distribute iftar meals and food boxes to the needy. Under the ‘Together We Care’ initiative, more than 15,000 hot Iftar meals will be handed out during the holy month to representatives of various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) by the Capital Governorate. www.womanthismonth.com Beauty Fashion Home Wellbeing Local Issues THE BEST SOURCE FOR ALL THINGS GIRLY AND FABULOUS
18 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Media Iftar at Salero Bahrain An iftar was held for members of the media and selected guests at the Spanish Restaurant, Salero Bahrain which is located at The Westin City Centre Bahrain. Salero Bahrain provides guests with an informal modern Spanish dining concept, where live entertainment and cooking take place in a social atmosphere. Media Ghabga at Wyndham Grand Manama Wyndham Grand Manama, located at Bahrain Bay, held a Ghabga at the Executive Lounge to mark the month of Ramadan. Members of the press and invited guests enjoyed a wonderful spread of seasonal favourites during the event.
May 2021 19 www.bahrainthismonth.com review THE EPITOME OF FINE DINING - MAKI Farah Baig experiences the height of culinary innovation with Maki’s exciting take on Japanese food. On our hunt for a culinary extravaganza this month, our tastebuds were wooed by true creativity at Maki - a renowned Japanese fusion restaurant located at the Bahrain World Trade Centre. The interiors and hospitality, courtesy of our host Glen, are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the fine dining experience at Maki. Glen explained that we’d be trying a curation of new items on the menu aside from some crowd favourites. I prepped my tastebuds with a refreshing Virgin Strawberry Mojito for what I would soon learn was a Japanese feast. To whet our appetite, we dug into the Oliver Maki Salad - a blend of fresh salmon, crabsticks, avocado, iceberg lettuce and more in Maki’s special virgin olive oil mixture. For our appetiser we enjoyed the Shrimp N Filo Nest which was delightfully crunchy and has the perfect balance of flavours with a touch of sweetness from the sauces. Next was the Tsurai Shake Sashimi, which is nothing short of a work of art; the salmon is embellished with truffle pearls, pozu sauce and green chili and is best enjoyed with a squeeze of fresh lime dusted with spicy Togarashi powder which adds another dimension of flavour. Overall, the sashimi was melt-inyour-mouth divine with the perfect amount of acidity and pleasant spiciness. The Thea Nigiri Sushi is perfect for those who prefer their Japanese cuisine with cooked seafood as it’s topped off with torched salmon, flavourful eel paste, cool slices of avocado, more of the spicy Togarashi and a generous drizzle of special virgin olive oil. This was followed by the Aishu Maki - masterfully draped in a tangy olive and tomato wrap with brown rice and salmon – one of the healthy options on the menu. Maki does nothing by half measure, so next we enjoyed the Sushi Symphony - five distinct sushis, each very different from the next in terms of toppings, texture and flavour profiles. It truly is a symphony with the vegetarian, tuna, salmon, white fish and Hamachi sushis sporting a medley of wildly different toppings at the chef’s discretion – a song composed by the masterful hands of the chef, if you must. A truly creative treat for any culinary enthusiast. For the warm mains, we loved the Smoked Short Ribs which rested on a bed of Oolong leaves. The boneless meat is extremely tender, pleasantly salty and sweet – quite possibly the most succulent I’ve ever had. We couldn’t possibly dine at a Japanese restaurant and not tuck into some Teppanyaki, so next we enjoyed the Akagome Prawn Teppanyaki with natural unpolished red rice. The pièce de resistance had to be the Chocolate lava cake which caught our eye as it left our kitchen due to its exquisite plating. It’s filled with lovely tart matcha, topped with a toffee crisp and homemade vanilla ice cream and has an added side caramelised banana. It’s the ultimate indulgence. Needless to say, Maki is the very EPITOME of fine dining and anyone exploring Bahrain’s dining scene absolutely must give it a try.
20 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Iftar at Samawar Restaurant Ramada Manama City Centre, represented by the owner’s representative, Moueen Askar, held a Ramadan Iftar for media members and invited guests at Samawar Restaurant. Cristina’s Birthday Party A birthday celebration was held for Cristina in Amwaj Islands in the presence of close friends and family.
www.bahrainthismonth.com May 2021 21 This Ramadan, enjoy a sumptuous array of dishes from an authentic Iftar at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain, including dedicated food stations, while delighting in Middle Eastern sweet and savoury delicacies. Break your fast and indulge with your family and friends in a wide selection of flavoured Middle Eastern dishes, featuring hot and cold starters, authentic dishes, as well as refreshing traditional Ramadan juices and dessert. The Iftar, along with Ramadan beverages, will be held at Silk’s restaurant from sunset to 900pm at BD18 net per person. Call 17 4600 17 or e-mail [email protected] Dusk beckons the start of time-honoured traditions at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain at the advent of the Holy Month of Ramadan. The five-star luxury lifestyle destination invites families, corporate groups, and couples to experience the month-long celebration like never before at the resort’s al fresco venues by the beach.A family-style sharing menu will be set up with aromatic dishes encompassing flavours of traditional Arabian cuisine, along with modern international fare. New this year is a selection of speciality rice dishes from different parts of the world including Dum Biryani from India, Paella from Spain, Tahig from Iran, and Koshari from Egypt. Ramadan desserts and gourmet sweet delicacies served at the end of each meal will satisfy the most discerning palates. A traditional Arabic coffee station will be set up to welcome guests to the night’s festivities. Shisha-service will be available nightly from sunset to 2am.Iftar at Thai and La Plage is priced at BD26 per person and Ghabga is BD29 per person. The Ramadan spread at Nikmati costs BD25 per person, available for group bookings of up to 30 persons. Call 17 586-499. Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay enables you to retreat to a beautifully transformed poolside venue overlooking Bahrain Bay and Manama’s glistening skyline for a lavish experience surrounded by traditional décor in a relaxing atmosphere. Spend Ramadan evenings under the night sky, with live entertainment from Arabic musicians. Chef Hassan Ahmed and his culinary team will be serving a selection of popular iftar and ghabga delicacies and global specialities. For Iftar, the sharing-style set menus range from BD17.5, BD20, and BD22.5 per person, for a minimum of two persons. An à la carte menu is also on offer. Ghabga entails a minimum spend of BD15 per person with both à la carte menu or sharing set menus available. Guests can also book a Private Cabana at the Pool Deck for a minimum spend of BD150, for a maximum of six persons. Call 17 115-000 or visit www.fourseasons.com/bahrain DELICIOUS IFTAR CELEBRATION FOR THE SENSES A STARRY VIEW Downtown Rotana invites you to gather with family, friends, and colleagues during the Holy month of Ramadan over a vibrant spread of extravagant iftar at Downtown Rotana for only BD15. Indulge in a combination of live cooking stations along with delicious delicacies served at your table Including live grills and traditional Ramadan dishes, drinks, and desserts. Special discounts are available for group bookings of 10 or more guests. You can enjoy a group Ghabga for only BD15 per person, with a minimum of 20 persons. The unique Ramadan decorations and ambience will add some more magic to your evenings, accompanied with all necessary health and safety procedures. Call 33 605-070 / 16 000-111. RAMADAN FLAVOURS The onset of May brings the second half of Ramadan and then the joy and celebration of Eid! Here are some places where you can enjoy a wonderful meal fit for any occasion. DINING OUT! tablehopping
22 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Crowne Plaza Bahrain Media Iftar The Crowne Plaza Bahrain team held a Media Iftar at the property to mark the occasion of Ramadan. Members of the press were welcomed to the souq-themed outdoor iftar where they enjoyed a wonderful spread of Middle Eastern cuisine. كﺒﺎرﻣﻄﺮ ﻓﺪ ﻋﻴ EID FITR MUBARAK @makirest @makirestaurant WWW.OLIVERMAKI.COM For reservations call: 17522733 SHORT RIBS BAO Innovative Japanese Cuisine
www.bahrainthismonth.com tablehopping May 2021 23 A SPECTACULAR SPREAD Experience the month of Ramadan at InterContinental Regency Bahrain, where you can revel in personal and attentive service, along with their international know-how and local cultural wisdom. Selections restaurant will stage an indulgent Iftar daily from sunset to 8.30pm, indoors and outdoors. Break your fast with a lavish buffet at your table with live BBQ station alongside traditional delicacies and international cuisine. Iftar is priced at BD18 per person. Ghabga at Selections will be under the moon from 9pm-1am daily, for you to savour a combination of vibrant live BBQ stations along with extravagant delicacies served at your table including the chef’s traditional and international curation priced at BD16 per person, or BD21 for the unlimited Shisha Package. A harp player will provide pleasant entertainment through both dining events. Call 17 227 777. Salero Restaurant at The Westin City Centre Bahrain will be serving guests through the month of Ramadan from Monday to Saturday, between noon to 10pm. Diners can choose to select from the à la carte menu, or ask for the Salero Ramadan set menu available from sunset to 10pm for BD20 per person. A special rate of BD17 per person is offered for group bookings of a minimum of 10 persons. The restaurant can seat a maximum of 30 persons and allows guests above 18 years of age as it is a smoking venue. Call 17 171-000, WhatsApp 33 538-150 or visit www.salerobahrain.com. THE SPANISH FLAIR ITALIAN TREAT Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain’s new outdoor dining, Bello Tapas, is staged every Wednesday night at the hotel’s poolside terrace. Chef Domenico draws upon his longstanding experience to serve Italian gastronomic tradition featuring creative dishes using only the finest produce. Roll with the al fresco Italian theme and start with an Aperitivo of Aperol Spritz, before taking a deep dive into a selection of Italian grape by the glass. The food menu is replete with Italian classics, all served as small plates, for people to share their passion for culinary and artistic delights. Bello Tapas is priced at BD12 per person for the food menu selection. Special Aperitivo are available upon request. Call 17460-017. Enjoy Ramadan at The Backyard at Crowne Plaza Bahrain from sunset to 1am with an iftar fit for friends and family. Enjoy a wide array of international and Bahraini Ramadan favourites, curated exclusively for you. In the spirit of sharing the outlet will be serving a five-course family feast of amazing culinary delights until May 13. Call 17 531-122 / 39 920-163. THE BACKYARD RAMADAN
www.bahrainthismonth.com tablehopping 24 May 2021 AFTERNOON BEAU-TEA Dining at Four Seasons’ Bay View is the definitive experience, full of tradition, innovation and a delicious celebration of the flavours of the season. Opening for Eid on May 13 onwards, from 8am to midnight you can enjoy artful interiors which set the stage for elegant meetings and gatherings overlooking the stunning Manama skyline and Bahrain Bay. An à la carte menu featuring international dishes and an extensive offering of handcrafted mocktails are served throughout the day and evening. There is nothing more iconic than experiencing afternoon tea at Bay View Lounge where delicate finger sandwiches and fluffy scones meet a fanciful selection of pastries and the most premium coffee and tea selection in the world. Call 17 115-000. The Westin City Centre Bahrain is hosting an Eid Lunch featuring a wide variety of dishes from its Furn menu such as mezze, salads, grills, traditional dishes and Arab sweets. This will be in a ‘buffet at your table’ style and will be available during the three days of Eid Al Fitr at Furn Bistro and Bakery for BD18 net per person. Due to limited seating capacity of the restaurant, it is highly recommended to book in advance. Call 17 171-000/33204175 or visit www.furnbahrain.com CELEBRATORY LUNCH Eid Saeed Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain invites you to discover hearty and colourful dishes served to your table. Indulge in an infinite selection of the freshest seafood, sushi, pasta, fine grilled cuts and more. Remember to save some room, because the dedicated dessert and cheese platters will surely tempt diners into sweet indulgence. Also, get entertained throughout the brunch, with resident DJ and live band performing the latest and best musical hits. The brunch is on every Friday from 12.30pm-4pm at the outdoor terrace and priced at BD38 net inclusive of unlimited premium beverages. Call 17 460-017. BRUNCH IS BACK!
www.bahrainthismonth.com tablehopping May 2021 25 Celebrate Eid with an Alfresco Brunch at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain with a buffet on your table at Legendz Steakhouse. There is also live carving stations and dessert trolleys. This will take place across the three days of Eid from 12.30pm-4pm and is priced at BD22 per person for a soft beverage package or BD29 for the selected beverage package. Call 17 227 777. A SPECIAL BUFFET Keizo at Al Areen Palace & Spa will host an Eid Night Brunch set in its lush gardens with Majlis seating. Enjoy a wide array of international cuisines while you marvel at spectacular sunsets. It is BD23 for a soft beverage package and BD30 for a selected beverage package. Call 36 057-494. SUNSET BRUNCH Enjoy a sumptuous steak and seafood soirée at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain’s new Plums Alfresco at its famous beachfront venue Nikmati, featuring a special Chef’s menu perfect for a romantic date night or family dinner. The special set menu includes the finest cuts of premium beef and fresh seafood, alongside a choice of appetising starters and decadent desserts. The opening will be on the first day of Eid, and from thenceforth Tuesday to Saturdays from 7pm-11pm. Call 17 586-499 or email rc.bahrz.restaurant.reservations@ ritzcarlton.com ROMANTIC SOIREE
26 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com In my years as a motor correspondent with BTM I have had the privilege and pleasure of test driving many cars. The Ferrari stable has been the provider of most of these cars, yet every time I get behind the wheel of one, the sense of thrill and anticipation is as if it’s the first time I’ve ever sat in a Ferrari. The latest drive of the Roma was no different. The Ferrari Roma - the Maranello lot refer to it as “La Nuova Dolce Vita” or, the new sweet life. It is sweet indeed. Similar to the Portofino in terms of an easy-to-drive everyday motor - alas not in convertible mode as yet. It is a Grand Tourer (GT) with 12 cubic feet of trunk spacethere’s even a flap for skis access, or in my case the golf clubs. At the rear of the front seats there are two small seating areas for kids - if you’d permit them in a Ferrari *shudder* - or two, quite small, friends! Kids or small friends aside, you could avail of two Ferrari custom designed holdalls for that perfect road trip? Head of Design, Flavio Manzoni, describes the Roma quite succinctly when he referred to it as “Formula 1 in evening attire”. A perfect description. It is indeed, sleek, elegant and refined-looking with 612 prancing ponies under the front hood. The Roma’s countenance is quite in contrast to that of the 458, 488 or 812. The latter models scream their potential with their bulging muscle designs - and there’s nothing wrong with that at all. Not so the Roma, it represents understated elegance. Think of it as a less, in-your-face, Ferrari! Which is not to say it doesn’t catch those admiring glances or get deference from upcoming cars - they still pull aside to let the Roma pass; it is a Ferrari after all. The force of the Roma surges from a turbocharged 612 horsepower V8 that claims 0-100kms in 3.4 seconds. Its top speed of 318kph… let’s just say, I couldn’t quite ascertain this on the journey to Zallaq and back, you do understand! Filters meet the latest emissions criteria without affecting that omnipresent Ferrari roar. The Roma is also the first Ferrari GT to have all five drive modeswet, comfort, sport, race and the esc-all off equals incredible and a look around under the hood reveals the truly awesome artistic engineering presence there. The comprehensive driver infotainment system is equally impressive. Being the techno- dinosaur that I am, it took a while to figure it out, but it’s all there, ergonomically designed so as to deem it unnecessary to remove hands from the steering wheel. The passenger dashboard area also sports a separate screen. Reference to the cockpit interior of a Ferrari is almost superfluous as the highest standards of craftmanship and handstitched materials - the Roma sported leather and velvet - are instantly evident. I must confess to not having seen velvet used in a Ferrari cockpit before – however, it is typical that interiors are custom designed for you - in line with your pocket money of course. Safe Ramadan driving all. [email protected] THE PERFECT GT SPORTS CAR? Dick Potter takes the Ferrari Roma for a spin! motoring
May 2021 27 www.bahrainthismonth.com motoring It was with great sadness that I learned that the “Queen of the Nürburgring” had passed away last month. Sabine Schmitz, the aforementioned queen, was first and foremost a phenomenal, professional motor racing driver. She was in her element, scorching tyres and denting-mostly male - egos around motor racing’s most formidable and dangerous track, the Nürburgring. Growing up near the circuit, coupled with jaunts in the family car on the north loop of the circuit- the Nordschleife- was a possible influence on the origins of car racing in the three Schmitz sisters. However, only Sabine continued and went on to achieve several notable victories. Progressing up through lower-level racing categories, she became the only female race car driver to win the annual Nürburgring 24-hour race, a feat she accomplished twice: in 1996 and 1997. The inimitable style in which she drove either of the BMW M5 cars - used to taxi people around the race track - coupled with her charismatic and humorous manner, brought Sabine mass public recognition and acclaim. Her familiarity with the circuit was undoubtedly accredited to her completing an astonishing 20,000 laps of it, both solo and in her famed tourist taxis. She also ran her own team - Frikadelli Racing - with her husband, Klaus Abbelen. In December 2004, Schmitz gained recognition in the United Kingdom after appearing on Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson. This was not their first meeting. Sabine had previously coached Clarkson around the Nürburgring in a Jaguar S-Type diesel. Clarkson had a set lap time of 9 minutes 59 seconds. When Sabine subsequently did the circuit with a set lap time of 9 minutes 12 seconds, she beat Clarkson by 47 seconds. Apparently, whilst attempting to film Schmitz as she drove the S-Type, the film crew were unable to keep up, and were reduced to roping in the Jaguar test driver to drive the Jaguar S-Type R chase car! Bravo Sabine! On a subsequent Top Gear episode, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the humble Ford Transit van, Top Gear challenged Sabine to drive a Ford Transit diesel van around the circuit in an attempt to beat Clarkson’s time set in the Jaguar. Firstly, I couldn’t have selected a more perfect vehicle for the challenge. Secondly, Sabine just missed Clarkson’s time by 9 seconds! Sabine became a regular guest star and firm favourite with the viewers on Top Gear. She continued to feature following Clarkson’s departure and from 2016 became one of the show’s regular team. Clarkson - possibly better known for his somewhat acerbic views of individuals - described Sabine as “such a sunny person”. Whilst indeed many of the presenters of Top Gear, past and present, paid tributes to Sabine, I must confess to a particular pang of envy reading Paddy McGuinness’ tribute. A current presenter, McGuinness thanked her for giving him tips on how to “drive a Ferrari very fast”. Having test driven many Ferrari’s - I can confirm that “very fast” is the only one way to drive one of these lovely creations - and I should dearly like to have been given any driving tip from Sabine! Car racing wasn’t the only string to her bow however. Trained in the hotel and catering business, she owned a bar-restaurant in Nürburg named the Fuchsröhre (Foxhole) after one of her favourite sections of the track. As if that wasn’t enough, in 2004 she qualified as a helicopter pilot. A remarkably clever and talented lady indeed. Perhaps a section of the famed Nürburgring circuit might be named in her honour? Let me know how you think she might be best remembered, at: [email protected] SABINE SCHMITZ. 1969-2021. Dick Potter remembers the phenomenal motor racing driver, Sabine Schmitz.
28 May 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com TWICE THE TRIUMPH The new Kia Sorento has received two globally renowned awards: the Red Dot Award and the iF Award for its product design. Since the Kia Soul was the first vehicle from a Korean brand to receive the Red Dot in 2009, a total of 26 Kia models have been awarded the coveted ‘red dot’. And in the iF Award, which the brand received for the first time in 2010, the number of award-winning Kia vehicles has risen to a total of 21 with the new Sorento. Shortly after its premiere last year, the new Sorento was honored for its outstanding design in the ‘All-Wheel Drive Car of the Year 2020’ poll by Auto Bild Allrad. A short time later, it received the most important German automotive award, the ‘Golden Steering Wheel 2020’ in the ‘Large SUVs’ class. In March this year, it was voted ‘Women’s World Car of the Year 2021’ in the ‘Large SUV’ category. A POSITIVE TREND Buyer confidence is returning to the premium luxury car market with Porsche Middle East and Africa FZE reporting its best first quarter result in five years. From January to March, 2,064 new cars were delivered to Porsche customers in the GCC, the Levant, Africa and India.Despite continuously challenging COVID-related measures, India performed exceptionally well, chalking up its best Q1 result in seven years, thus making Porsche one of the fastest growing luxury car brands in the country in 2021. Porsche Middle East and Africa’s successful implementation of its new retail strategy helped steer importer profitability through clearly defined qualitative and quantitative targets in the first quarter of 2021 and beyond. Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were the top three markets for the Middle East, with Abu Dhabi returning the strongest growth of 73 per cent over Q1 last year. Across Africa, South Africa, Egypt and Morocco were the best performers. Morocco more than doubled its new car sales between January and March when compared to the same period in 2020. THE CUTTING-EDGE CONCEPT CAR MG Motor has shared more details about its cutting-edge Cyberster concept car, which premiered at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show this April. Developed by the team at the MG Advanced Design Centre in London, the Cyberster is a two-door, two-seater sports car recalling the brand’s heritage and featuring styling cues from the classic MGB Roadster.The Cyberster introduces supercar-level performance from a fully-electric MG. Its intelligent all-electric architecture delivers an Electric Vehicle range of 800km (500 miles) and a 0-100km/h time (0-62mph) in less than three seconds. It will also feature 5G interconnectivity. Additionally, a collaboration between MG and Bilibili e-sports has resulted in the co-creation of the industry’s first super e-sports cockpit for the Cyberster.The Cyberster features classic round MG headlights, coupled with a slim grille design, along with interactive ‘Magic Eye’ headlights that open when switched on. Its powerful sports car profile has a distinct two-stage shoulder line, with a flattened ‘kamm tail’ rear. Ahead of the show, MG confirmed its intention to manufacture the Cyberster as a production car.
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